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Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure
27500 Drake Rd. Suite 110
Farmington Hills, MI 48331
Telephone: (248)482-3600
Facsimile: (248)482-3611
E-mail: ccousins@financialarch.com
Web Address: www.financialarch.com
July 15, 2025
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of FAI Advisors, Inc.
(hereinafter “FAI” or “firm” or “we”). If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please
contact us at (248) 482-3600 or at ccousins@financialarch.com. The information in this brochure has not been
approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities
authority.
Additional information about FAI is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. You can search
this site by a unique identifying number, known as a CRD number. The CRD number for FAI is 122132.
Summary of Material Changes
Item 2.
The purpose of this section is to inform you of any material changes since the last annual update of this brochure.
FAI Advisors reviews and updated this Brochure at least annually to make sure that it is still current. Since our last
annual updating amendment dated March 10, 2025, we have made the following material changes:
We have updated our Advisory Services to include the following information regarding the wrap
program we recommend to our clients:
We have entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with SEI Investments Management Corporation
(SIMC”), an SEC registered investment adviser and affiliate of SEI Private Trust Company, pursuant to
which SIMC will make available to our clients investment strategies of SIMC’s portfolio managers and
certain SIMC-developed investment strategy models. When assets are allocated to a SIMC portfolio
manager or strategy, the assets will be managed by the portfolio manager or based on the strategy, but
FAI Advisors will retain discretionary authority to hire or fire the sub-advisor and to make reallocation
decisions. SIMC provides Managed Account Solutions (MAS) which is a wrap fee program that we offer
to our clients. With MAS, the client appoints SIMC along with their advisor, to manage assets in each
portfolio in accordance with the recommended strategy. For additional information regarding SIMC and
the MAS wrap fee program, clients should refer to SIMC’s disclosure brochure, Form ADV Part 2A and
Wrap Fee Program Brochure: Managed Account Solutions – Independent Advisor Solutions by SEI. FAI
Advisors, Inc. does not offer its own wrap account program.
Additionally, we have updated Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations as follows to
more fully disclose any other business affiliations that the principal executive officers may have and how
those affiliations could present a financial conflict of interest when recommending such services to
clients:
The principal executive officers of FAI also market insurance products and provide other insurance-related
services through Financial Architects, Inc. These individuals may spend as much as 75% of their time
conducting insurance business. The receipt of this compensation via both insurance commissions and
ownership creates a conflict of interest in that could affect the principal executive officers’ judgment in
recommending insurance products to its clients; however, such recommendations must only be made
when they are in the client’s best interest. Clients are free to effect insurance transactions with any
insurance company or agent of their choice.
The principal executive officers also have ownership interest in Q5, LLC, a company that specializes in
business succession planning. These individuals spend less than 10% of their time on this non- investment
advisory activity, but as co-owners, they receive compensation. The receipt of this compensation creates
a conflict of interest in that it could affect FAI Advisors and any associated persons’ judgment in
recommending business succession planning to clients; however, the recommendation to use Q5’s services
is only done when it is in the client’s best interest. Clients may choose whether to do business with Q5
The principal executive officers also have ownership interest in Empowering Futures, LLC, a behavioral
neuroscience coaching program. These individuals spend less than 10% of their time on this non-
investment advisory activity, but as co-owners, they receive compensation. The receipt of this
compensation creates a conflict of interest in that it could affect FAI Advisors and any associates persons’
judgement in recommending the coaching programs to clients. The recommendation to use the
Empowering Futures services, in particular, “The Big Q Discovery” is a part of the Financial Architecture
planning services when it is in the client’s best interest. However, clients may choose whether to do
business with Empowering Futures.
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Item 3.
Table of Contents
Item
Section
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Page
Number
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2
3
4
5
7
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12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Cover Page
Material Changes
Table of Contents
Advisory Business
Fees and Compensation
Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Types of Clients
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Disciplinary Information
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading
Brokerage Practices
Review of Accounts
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Custody
Investment Discretion
Voting Client Securities
Financial Information
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12
13
13
13
14
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Item 4.
Advisory Business
FAI Advisors is an SEC-registered adviser with its principal place of business located in, Michigan. Our firm has been
in business since 2006. Mr. Christopher Cousins is 50% owner of the firm and Mr. Patrick Marody is 50% owner
of the firm.
Investment Management Services
Our firm provides continuous advice regarding the investment of client funds based on the individual needs of
the client. Once goals and objectives have been established based on the client's particular circumstances, we
create and manage a portfolio based on those goals and objectives. During our data-gathering process, we
determine the client's individual objectives, time horizon, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs. As appropriate, we
also review and discuss the client's prior investment history, as well as family composition and background.
Clients retain individual ownership of all portfolio securities. We manage advisory accounts on a discretionary
basis. Where appropriate based on the client’s goals and objectives, we may select a sub-adviser to assist with
portfolio management.
We have entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with SEI Investments Management Corporation (SIMC”), an
SEC registered investment adviser and affiliate of SEI Private Trust Company, pursuant to which SIMC will make
available to our clients investment strategies of SIMC’s portfolio managers and certain SIMC-developed
investment strategy models. When assets are allocated to a SIMC portfolio manager or strategy, the assets
will be managed by the portfolio manager or based on the strategy, but FAI Advisors will retain discretionary
authority to hire or fire the sub-advisor and to make reallocation decisions. SIMC provides Managed Account
Solutions (MAS) which is a wrap fee program that we offer to our clients. With MAS, the client appoints SIMC
along with their advisor, to manage assets in each portfolio in accordance with the recommended strategy.
For additional information regarding SIMC and the MAS wrap fee program, clients should refer to SIMC’s
disclosure brochure, Form ADV Part 2A and Wrap Fee Program Brochure: Managed Account Solutions –
Independent Advisor Solutions by SEI. FAI Advisors, Inc. does not offer its own wrap account program.
Account supervision will be performed by FAI Advisors and is guided by the stated objectives of the client (i.e.,
income, long-term growth, short-term growth, etc.). For client accounts handled by a sub-advisor, FAI Advisors
will continuously monitor the sub-advisor’s services and be available to answer client questions regarding the
sub-advisor.
While FAI Advisors does not limit its advice to specific types of securities, it generally provides advice regarding
exchange listed securities and mutual fund shares. Clients may impose reasonable restrictions on investing in
certain securities, types of securities, or industry sectors.
investments
involve certain additional degrees of risk, they will only be
Because some types of
implemented/recommended when consistent with the client's stated investment objectives, tolerance
for risk, liquidity and suitability. FAI Advisors seeks to maintain current client suitability information on file at all
times. As such, we respectfully request prompt notification of any material change in the client's financial
circumstances.
Consulting Services
Clients can also receive investment advice on a more focused basis. This may include advice on only an isolated
area(s) of concern such as estate planning, retirement planning, or any other specific topic. We also provide
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specific consultation and administrative services regarding investment and financial concerns of the client.
Consulting recommendations are not limited to any specific product or service offered by a broker dealer or
insurance company. All recommendations are of a generic nature.
Amount of Managed Assets
As of December 31, 2024, we had $285,189,090 in assets under management on a discretionary basis and
$16,060,215 in assets undermanagement on a non-discretionary basis.
Item 5. Fees and Compensation
Investment Management Services
For Investment Management Services clients will be charged an annualized fee as a percentage of assets in the
account according to the following schedule:
Account Value
Up to $500,000
$500,000 - $1,000,000
$1,000,000 - $2,000,000
$2,000,000 - $5,000,000
$5,000,000 - $10,000,000
Above $10,000,000
Annual Fee
1.00%
.85%
.75%
.65%
.55%
.45%
Client accounts will be directly debited, as authorized, and billed in arrears at the end of each calendar month.
In any partial calendar month, the management fee will be pro-rated based on the number of days that the
Account was open during the month. Fees accrue daily and are determined on the last day of the calendar
month by calculating the average daily market value.
Limited Negotiability of Advisory Fees: Although FAI Advisors has established the aforementioned fee schedule,
we retain the discretion to negotiate alternative fees on a client-by-client basis. Client facts, circumstances and
needs are considered in determining the fee schedule. These include the complexity of the client, assets to be
placed under management, anticipated future additional assets, related accounts, portfolio style, account
composition, reports, among other factors. The specific annual fee schedule is identified in the contract between
the adviser and each client.
We may group certain related client accounts for the purposes of determining the annualized fee.
Discounts, not generally available to our advisory clients, may be offered to family members of associated
persons of our firm.
Consulting Services
Consulting Services fees will be determined based on the nature of the services being provided and the
complexity of each client’s circumstances. The fees charged reflect the amount of time spent by Consultant
gathering and compiling client information, conferring with Client, and/or other activities directly associated
with Consultant’s obligations under the Consulting Services Agreement. The maximum fee charged will not
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exceed $10,000 in any 12-month period. Under no circumstances will we earn fees in excess of $1,200 more than
six months in advance of services rendered.
All fees are agreed upon prior to entering into a contract with any client and will be disclosed in the Consulting
Services Agreement. By signing the Consulting Services Agreement, client acknowledges the amount of the fee
and agrees to compensate FAI Advisors for the services described. Client has the right to terminate the
Consulting Services Agreement without penalty within five business days after entering into the Agreement.
The fees are negotiable and may be modified or changed by the Consultant upon advance written notice to
Client. Client may be charged either a one-time fee or annual fee, or both.
One-Time Fee: Consultant charges a one-time fee of $ TBD. There is no cost for the initial meeting. Once Client
has provided all data and the Agreement has been signed, 50% of the fee will be assessed and collected. The
balance of the fee is due at conclusion of the project. If Client terminates, any prepaid unearned fee will be
refunded.
Annual Fee: The Consultant charges an annual fee of $ TBD , to be billed on
of each year. The fee is
invoiced in full upon signing the consulting agreement. This is a fixed fee subject to negotiation between the
Client and Consultant. If client terminates, any prepaid unearned fee will be refunded.
For clients also receiving services from Q5 (see Item 10), the fees for Consulting Services will be paid to Q5 and
remitted to FAI.
Fees in General
Termination of the Advisory Relationship: A client agreement may be canceled at any time, by either party, for
any reason upon receipt of 30 days written notice. Upon termination of any account, any prepaid, unearned
fees will be promptly refunded.
Mutual Fund and ETF Fees and Expenses: All fees paid to our firm for investment advisory services are separate
and distinct from the fees and expenses charged by mutual funds and ETFs to their shareholders. These fees
and expenses are described in each fund's prospectus. These fees will generally include a management fee,
other fund expenses, and a possible distribution fee. A client could invest in a mutual fund or and ETF directly,
without the services of our firm. In that case, the client would not receive the services provided by us which are
designed, among other things, to assist the client in determining which mutual fund or funds or ETFs are most
appropriate to each client's financial condition and objectives. Accordingly, the client should review both the
fees charged by the funds and ETFs and the fees charged by us to fully understand the total amount of fees to
be paid by the client and to thereby evaluate the advisory services being provided.
Additional Fees and Expenses: In addition to our advisory fees, clients are also responsible for the fees and
expenses charged by custodians and imposed by broker dealers, including, but not limited to, any transaction
charges imposed by a broker dealer with which an independent investment manager effects transactions for the
client's account(s). Please refer to the "Brokerage Practices" section (Item 12) of this Form ADV for additional
information regarding broker dealers.
In addition, clients whose Account is managed by a sub-advisor will be responsible for paying the sub-advisor’s
fee. A sub-advisor will be used when in the client’s best interest and will be determined based on the client’s
investment objectives and personal circumstances.
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ERISA Accounts: FAI Advisors is deemed to be a fiduciary to advisory clients that are employee benefit plans or
individual retirement accounts (IRAs) pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA"), and
regulations under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), respectively. As such, our firm is subject to
specific duties and obligations under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code that include among other things,
restrictions concerning certain forms of compensation.
Item 6.
Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
We do not charge any fees based on a share of capital gains on or capital appreciation of the assets of a client.
Item 7.
Types of Clients
Our firm generally provides consultation services to individuals, pension and profit sharing plans, trusts, estates,
charitable organizations, corporations and other business entities.
Item 8.
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Clients should understand that investing in any securities, including mutual funds, involves a risk of loss of
both income and principal.
Investment Management Services – Methods of Analysis
We use the following methods of analysis in formulating our investment advice and/or managing client assets:
Fundamental Analysis. We attempt to measure the intrinsic value of a security by looking at economic and
financial factors (including the overall economy, industry conditions, and the financial condition and
management of the company itself) to determine if the company is underpriced (indicating it may be a good
time to buy) or overpriced (indicating it may be time to sell).
Fundamental analysis does not attempt to anticipate market movements. This presents a potential risk, as the
price of a security can move up or down along with the overall market regardless of the economic and financial
factors considered in evaluating the stock.
Technical Analysis. We analyze past market movements and apply that analysis to the present in an attempt
to recognize recurring patterns of investor behavior and potentially predict future price movement.
Technical analysis does not consider the underlying financial condition of a company. This presents a risk in that
a poorly-managed or financially unsound company may underperform regardless of market movement.
Asset Allocation. Rather than focusing primarily on securities selection, we attempt to identify an appropriate
ratio of securities, fixed income, and cash suitable to the client's investment goals and risk tolerance.
A risk of asset allocation is that the client may not participate in sharp increases in a particular security, industry
or market sector. Another risk is that the ratio of securities, fixed income, and cash will change over time due
to stock and market movements and, if not corrected, will no longer be appropriate for the client's goals.
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Mutual Fund and/or ETF Analysis. We look at the experience and track record of the manager of the mutual
fund or ETF in an attempt to determine if that manager has demonstrated an ability to invest over a period of
time and in different economic conditions. We also look at the underlying assets in a mutual fund or ETF in an
attempt to determine if there is significant overlap in the underlying investments held in another fund(s) in the
client's portfolio. We also monitor the funds or ETFs in an attempt to determine if they are continuing to follow
their stated investment strategy.
A risk of mutual fund and/or ETF analysis is that, as in all securities investments, past performance does not
guarantee future results. A manager who has been successful may not be able to replicate that success in the
future. In addition, as we do not control the underlying investments in a fund or ETF. Managers of different
funds held by the client may purchase the same security, increasing the risk to the client if that security were
to fall in value. There is also a risk that a manager may deviate from the stated investment mandate or strategy
of the fund or ETF, which could make the holding(s) less suitable for the client's portfolio.
Sub-Adviser Analysis. We examine things like the experience, expertise, investment philosophies, and past
performance of portfolio managers and strategies available through sub-advisers in an attempt to determine if
they have demonstrated an ability to invest over a period of time and in different economic conditions. We
monitor the manager or strategy’s underlying holdings, concentrations, and leverage as part of our reviews.
Additionally, as part of our due-diligence process, we survey the sub-adviser’s compliance and business
enterprise risks.
A risk of investing with a manager or in a strategy that has been successful in the past is that they may not be
able to replicate that success in the future. In addition, as we do not control the underlying investments, there
is a risk of deviation from the stated investment mandate or strategy. Moreover, as we do not control the sub-
adviser’s daily business and compliance operations, we may be unaware of the lack of internal controls
necessary to prevent business, regulatory or reputational deficiencies.
Risks for all Forms of Analysis. Our securities analysis methods rely on the assumption that the companies
whose securities we purchase and sell, the rating agencies that review these securities, and other publicly-
available sources of information about these securities, are providing accurate and unbiased data. While we
are alert to indications that data may be incorrect, there is always a risk that our analysis may be compromised
by inaccurate or misleading information.
Investment Management Services - Investment Strategies
We use the following strategy(ies) in managing client accounts, provided that such strategy(ies) are appropriate
to the needs of the client and consistent with the client's investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time
horizon, among other considerations:
Long-term purchases. We purchase securities with the idea of holding them in the client's account for a year
or longer. Typically, we employ this strategy when we believe the securities to be currently undervalued, and/or
we want exposure to a particular asset class over time, regardless of the current projection for this class.
A risk in a long-term purchase strategy is that by holding the security for this length of time, we may not take
advantage of short-term gains that could be profitable to a client. Moreover, if our predictions are incorrect, a
security may decline sharply in value before we make the decision to sell.
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Risk of Loss. Securities investments are not guaranteed and you may lose money on your investments. We ask
that you work with us to help us understand your tolerance for risk.
Consulting Services
We follow a three-part assessment to equip clients to make educated decisions.
Part 1 – Gather information from the client from questionnaires and risk assessment to help identify, clarify and
document the Client’s “ideal” outcomes and then review the risk assessment.
Part 2 – Examine the client’s overall circumstances as they exist today and assist with identification of areas of
risk exposure and inefficiency.
Part 3 – Summarize what was previously discussed and documented for the client to use as a personal roadmap.
Then the client takes the information and independently decides how to proceed with their portfolio.
Item 9.
Disciplinary Information
Our firm has no reportable disciplinary events to disclose. Neither our firm nor any of our management persons
have been involved in any legal or disciplinary events during the last 10 years that would be material to a client’s
or prospective client’s evaluation of our advisory business or integrity of our management. There have been
no criminal or civil actions brought against our firm or our management persons. Nor have there been any self-
regulatory proceedings or administrative proceedings (before the SEC, any federal regulatory agency, state
regulatory agency or any foreign financial regulatory authority) involving our firm or our management persons.
Item 10.
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
FAI Advisors is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Associated persons of FAI Advisors, Inc. are insurance
agents affiliated with Financial Architects, Inc., and representatives of various insurance companies. Financial
Architects, Inc. is affiliated with FAI Advisors, Inc. through common ownership and control. As such, these
individuals may spend as much as 50% of their time conducting insurance business. In their separate capacities
as insurance agents, they may offer and sell insurance products to clients, for which they will receive separate,
yet customary, compensation. The receipt of this compensation creates a conflict of interest in that could affect
FAI Advisors and its associated persons’ judgment in recommending insurance products to its clients; however,
such recommendations must only be made when they are in the client’s best interest. Clients are free to effect
insurance transactions with any insurance company or agent of their choice.
The principal executive officers of FAI also market insurance products and provide other insurance-related
services through Financial Architects, Inc. These individuals may spend as much as 75% of their time conducting
insurance business. The receipt of this compensation via both insurance commissions and ownership creates a
conflict of interest in that could affect the principal executive officers’ judgment in recommending insurance
products to its clients; however, such recommendations must only be made when they are in the client’s best
interest. Clients are free to effect insurance transactions with any insurance company or agent of their choice.
The principal executive officers also have ownership interest in Q5, LLC, a company that specializes in business
succession planning. These individuals spend less than 10% of their time on this non- investment advisory
activity, but as co-owners, they receive compensation. The receipt of this compensation creates a conflict of
interest in that it could affect FAI Advisors and any associated persons’ judgment in recommending business
succession planning to clients; however, the recommendation to use Q5’s services is only done when it is in the
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client’s best interest. Clients may choose whether to do business with Q5
The principal executive officers also have ownership interest in Empowering Futures, LLC, a behavioral
neuroscience coaching program. These individuals spend less than 10% of their time on this non-investment
advisory activity, but as co-owners, they receive compensation. The receipt of this compensation creates a
conflict of interest in that it could affect FAI Advisors and any associates persons’ judgement in recommending
the coaching programs to clients. The recommendation to use the Empowering Futures services, in particular,
“The Big Q Discovery” is a part of the Financial Architecture planning services when it is in the client’s best
interest. However, clients may choose whether to do business with Empowering Futures
We are aware of the special considerations concerning the receipt of additional compensation applicable to
accounts that are subject to ERISA regulation (including prohibited transaction rules and applicable exemptions).
FAI Advisors will offset and/or discount any additional compensation received for servicing such accounts in
accordance with applicable ERISA regulation.
Clients should be aware that the receipt of additional compensation by FAI Advisors and its management
persons or employees creates a conflict of interest that may impair the objectivity of FAI Advisors and these
individuals when making advisory recommendations. Potential conflicts of interest also arise to the extent that
these non-advisory activities may require a significant time commitment from our management persons and
employees, thus limiting the amount of time they can dedicate to management of advisory client accounts. We
endeavor at all times to put the interest of our clients first as part of our fiduciary duty as a registered
investment adviser and take the following steps to address this conflict:
- We disclose to clients the existence of all material conflicts of interest, including the potential for FAI
Advisors and its employees to earn compensation from advisory clients in addition to our advisory fees;
- We disclose to clients that they are not obligated to purchase recommended insurance products from
FAI Advisors’ employees or Related Companies;
- We collect, maintain and document accurate, complete and relevant client background information,
-
including the client’s financial goals, objectives and risk tolerance;
FAI Advisors’ management conducts regular reviews of each client account to verify that all
recommendations made to a client are suitable to the client’s needs and circumstances;
- We require that employees seek prior approval of any outside employment activity so that we may
ensure that any conflicts of interests in such activities are properly addressed;
- We periodically monitor these outside employment activities to verify that any conflicts of interest
continue to be properly addressed by FAI; and
- We educate our employees regarding the responsibilities of a fiduciary, including the need for having a
reasonable and independent basis for the investment advice provided to clients.
As discussed in Item 4, FAI Advisors may select a third-party sub-advisor to provide portfolio management
services for client accounts. Clients' annual advisory fees paid to FAI Advisors will not increase due to the use
of a sub-advisor. However, as discussed in Item 5, clients will be responsible for paying the sub-advisor’s fee.
Item 11.
Code of Ethics, Participation in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
Our firm has adopted a Code of Ethics which sets forth the high ethical standards of business conduct that we
require of our employees, including compliance with applicable federal securities laws. FAI Advisors and our
personnel owe a duty of loyalty, fairness and good faith towards our clients, and have an obligation to adhere
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not only to the specific provisions of the Code of Ethics but to the general principles that guide the Code.
Our Code of Ethics includes policies and procedures for the review of quarterly securities transactions reports as
well as initial and annual securities holdings reports that must be submitted by the firm's access persons. Among
other things, our Code of Ethics also requires the prior approval of any acquisition of securities in a limited
offering (e.g., private placement) or an initial public offering. Our code also provides for oversight, enforcement
and recordkeeping provisions.
Our Code of Ethics further includes the firm's policy prohibiting the use of material non-public information. While
we do not believe that we have any particular access to non-public information, all employees are reminded
that such information may not be used in a personal or professional capacity.
FAI Advisors or individuals associated with FAI Advisors may buy or sell securities (including mutual funds)
identical to or different than those recommended to clients for their personal accounts. In addition, any related
person(s) may have an interest or position in a certain security(ies) which may also be recommended to a client.
As these situations represent a conflict of interest, FAI Advisors has established the following restrictions in order
to ensure its fiduciary responsibilities:
1) A member or associate person of FAI Advisors will not buy or sell securities for his or her personal portfolio(s)
where such decision is substantially derived, in whole or in part, by reason of his or her employment unless the
information is also available to the investing public on reasonable inquiry. No person associated with FAI Advisors
shall prefer his or her own interest to that of the advisory client.
2) FAI Advisors maintains a list of all securities holdings for itself, and anyone associated with this advisory
practice with access to advisory recommendations. A designated compliance person of FAI Advisors reviews
these holdings on a regular basis.
3) All clients are fully informed that certain individuals may, in some situations, receive separate compensation
when effecting transactions during the implementation process.
4) FAI Advisors emphasizes the unrestricted right of the client to decline to implement any advice rendered,
except in situations where FAI Advisors is granted discretionary authority of the client's account.
5) FAI Advisors emphasizes the unrestricted right of the client to select and choose any insurance company (s)he
wishes for implementation of any insurance recommendations.
6) FAI Advisors requires that all individuals must act in accordance with all applicable regulations governing
registered investment advisory practices.
7) Any individual not in observance of the above may be subject to termination.
While FAI Advisors does not engage in principal or agency cross transactions, its sub-advisers, including SIMC,
may engage in agency cross transactions. While such trades will be conducted in accordance with applicable
securities regulations, the sub-adviser will have a potentially conflicting division of loyalties and responsibilities
in an agency cross transaction. Clients should refer to the sub-adviser’s disclosure brochure (Form ADV Part 2A
or wrap brochure) for additional information regarding agency cross transactions and may contact FAI Advisors
with any questions.
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As disclosed in the preceding section of this Brochure (Item 10), related persons of our firm are separately
licensed as an insurance agent/broker of various insurance companies. Please refer to Item 10 for a detailed
explanation of these relationships and important conflict of interest disclosures.
A copy of our Code of Ethics is available to our advisory clients and prospective clients. You may request a copy
by email sent to ccousins@financialarch.com, or by calling us at (248) 482-3600.
Item 12.
Brokerage Practices
We do not have any formal soft-dollar arrangements and do not contract with any broker dealer to receive soft-
dollar benefits. This means that we do not receive research or gain access to industry analysts or conferences
in return for paying higher commissions for client trades to a particular broker dealer.
FAI Advisors does not request or accept discretionary authority to determine the broker-dealer to be used for
client accounts. Clients must direct us as to the broker dealer to be used for all client securities transactions. In
directing the use of a particular broker or dealer, it should be understood that FAI Advisors will not have authority
to negotiate commissions among all brokers, and therefore, best execution may not be achieved, resulting in
higher transaction costs for clients.
For clients in need of brokerage services, FAI Advisors will recommend the use of SEI Private Trust Company
provided that this recommendation is consistent with FAI Advisors' fiduciary duty to the client. FAI Advisors
receives cost discounts for reaching certain levels of assets under management with SEI. This creates a conflict
of interest, FAI Advisors has a reasonable belief that SEI Private Trust Company is able to obtain best execution
and competitive prices. However, our firm will not be independently seeking best execution price capability
through other brokers, and not all advisers recommend clients use a particular broker-dealer.
FAI Advisors' clients must evaluate any recommended broker-dealer and/or custodian, including SEI Private Trust
Company, before opening an account. The factors considered by FAI Advisors when making brokerage and/or
custodial recommendations are the firm's ability to provide professional services, FAI Advisors' experience with
the firm, the firm's reputation, and the firm's quality of execution services and costs of such services, among
other factors.
FAI Advisors reserves the right to decline acceptance of any client account if FAI Advisors believes that the
broker-dealer the client has directed FAI to use would adversely affect our fiduciary duty to the client and/or
ability to effectively service the client portfolio.
Trade Aggregation: As a matter of policy and practice, FAI Advisors does not generally block client trades and,
therefore, we implement client transactions separately for each account. Consequently, certain client trades
may be executed before others, at a different price and/or commission rate. Additionally, our clients may not
receive volume discounts available to advisers who block client trades. FAI’s sub-advisers, including SIMC, may
aggregate trades. Clients should refer to the sub-adviser’s disclosure brochure (Form ADV Part 2A or wrap
brochure) for additional information regarding their trade aggregation practices and may contact FAI Advisors
with any questions.
Item 13.
Review of Accounts
Reviews: For accounts receiving Investment Management Services, the underlying securities within the
accounts, or services provided by any sub-adviser to the account, will be continually monitored by the
investment adviser representative responsible for the account. At least annually, the investment adviser
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representative responsible for the account will review it in the context of the client’s stated investment
objectives and guidelines. More frequent reviews may be triggered by material changes in variables such as the
client's individual circumstances, or the market, political or economic environment, or by client request. In
addition, a sampling of accounts will be reviewed annually by either the Chief Compliance Officer or President.
Such reviews will include investment strategy and objectives.
Each Consulting Services Agreement is reviewed by either the Chief Compliance Officer or President prior to
payment being deposited.
Reports: Written reports may be provided to the Client. This is done on a case-by-case basis as agreed upon
between Client and Adviser.
Item 14.
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Our employees may receive additional compensation as described in Item 10 of this Brochure. Please refer to
Item 10 for a detailed explanation of these relationships and important conflict of interest disclosures. Adviser
does not receive compensation for referrals or compensate others for referrals.
Item 15.
Custody
Custody is defined as any legal or actual ability by our firm to access client funds or securities. Since all client
funds and securities are maintained with a qualified custodian, we do not take physical possession of client
assets. However, as discussed in the "Fees and Compensation" section (Item 5) of this Brochure, our firm directly
debits advisory fees from client accounts.
As part of this billing process, the client's custodian is advised of the amount of the fee to be deducted from that
client's account. On at least a quarterly basis, the custodian is required to send to the client statement showing
all transactions within the account during the reporting period.
Because the custodian does not verify the amount of the fee to be deducted, it is important for clients to carefully
review their custodial statements to verify the accuracy of the calculation, among other things. Clients should
contact us directly if they believe that there may be an error in their statement.
Item 16.
Investment Discretion
As discussed in Item 4 of this brochure, we offer Investment Management Services to clients on a discretionary
basis, in which case we place trades in a client's account without contacting the client prior to each trade to
obtain the client's permission.
Our discretionary authority includes the ability to do the following without contacting the client:
Determine the security to buy or sell; and/or
Determine the amount of the security to buy or sell.
Clients also give us discretionary authority to select (hire and fire) sub-advisor(s).
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Clients give us discretionary authority when they sign a discretionary agreement with our firm, and may revoke
this authority at any time by providing written notice to FAI Advisors.
Item 17.
Voting Client Securities
As a matter of firm policy, FAI Advisors does not vote proxies on behalf of clients. Therefore, although our firm
may provide investment advisory services relative to client investment assets, clients generally maintain
exclusive responsibility for: (1) directing the manner in which proxies solicited by issuers of securities beneficially
owned by the client shall be voted, and (2) making all elections relative to any mergers, acquisitions, tender
offers, bankruptcy proceedings or other type events pertaining to the client’s investment assets. Clients are
responsible for instructing each custodian to forward copies of all proxies and shareholder communications
relating to the client’s investment assets. We do, however, offer consulting assistance regarding proxy issues to
clients if such assistance is sought by a client.
Our sub-advisors, however, may provide proxy voting services with respect to issuers of securities held in
accounts for which they provide portfolio management services. Clients should refer to the sub-adviser’s
disclosure brochure (Form ADV Part 2A or wrap brochure) for additional information regarding their proxy voting
policies and may contact FAI Advisors with any questions.
We will neither advise nor act on behalf of the client in legal proceedings involving companies whose securities
are held in the client’s account(s), including, but not limited to, the filing of “Proofs of Claim” in class action
settlements. If desired, clients may direct us to transmit copies of class action notices to the client or a third
party. Upon such direction, we will make commercially reasonable efforts to forward such notices in a timely
manner.
Item 18.
Financial Information
Under no circumstances will we earn fees in excess of $500 more than six months in advance of services
rendered. Therefore, we are not required to include a financial statement. FAI has not been the subject of a
bankruptcy petition at any time during the past 10 years. FAI has no additional financial circumstances to report.
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